Stoic Meditations

Massimo Pigliucci

Occasional reflections on the wisdom of Ancient Greek and Roman philosophers with Prof. Massimo Pigliucci. Complete index by author and source at https://massimopigliucci.org/stoic-podcast/. (cover art by Marek Škrabák; original music by Ian Jolin-Rasmussen).

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1,094 episodes
Updated Aug 23, 2022

Episodes1094

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Mar 14, 2022 · 2 min
1014. Even bad people appreciate virtue
Nature bestows upon us all this immense advantage, that the light of virtue shines into the minds of all alike; even those who do not follow her, behold her.
Mar 11, 2022 · 2 min
1013. The duty to help others and the providential nature of the universe
Seneca makes an argument that we have a duty to help others based on the providential nature of the universe. But the universe does not have a providential nature. Fortunately, there is a way to rescue Seneca's conclusion.
Mar 10, 2022 · 2 min
1012. God = Nature = Fate = Cause & Effect
If you were to call God Fate, you would not lie; for since fate is nothing more than a connected chain of causes, he is the first cause of all upon which all the rest depend.
Mar 9, 2022 · 2 min
1011. Two criticisms of Seneca
Seneca, though he acknowledges that women are perfectly capable of virtue, characterizes Epicureans as "effeminate." And in today's passage he comes across as far more critical of Epicurus than he is usually regarded to be.
Mar 8, 2022 · 2 min
1010. The difference between a mere parent and a good parent
It is not a good thing to live, but to live well.
Mar 7, 2022 · 2 min
1009. On slavery
Whereby Seneca displays a bit too casual of an attitude toward slavery, a particular instance of a broader problem for Stoicism when it comes to social and political issues.
Mar 4, 2022 · 2 min
1008. No deadline for gratefulness
No day is appointed for repayment of a benefit, as there is for borrowed money; consequently he who has not yet repaid a benefit may do so hereafter: for tell me, pray, within what time a person is to be declared ungrateful?
Feb 28, 2022 · 2 min
1007. Virtue and the law
Seneca explains why it makes no sense to pass laws to enforce virtuous behavior, such as some modern laws against marital infidelity.
Feb 25, 2022 · 2 min
1006. Contentedness vs ambition
Being always intent upon new objects of desire, we think, not of what we have, but of what we are striving to obtain. Those whose mind is fixed entirely upon what they hope to gain, regard with contempt all that is their own already.
Feb 24, 2022 · 2 min
1005. Should we complain to the gods?
They call the gods neglectful of us because we have not been given health which even our vices cannot destroy.
Feb 23, 2022 · 2 min
1004. The sources of ingratitude
Ingratitude is caused by excessive self-esteem, by that fault innate in all mortals, of taking a partial view of ourselves and our own acts, by greed, or by jealousy.
Feb 22, 2022 · 2 min
1003. When we should decline a benefit to help a friend
Someone may be a worthy person for me to receive a benefit from, but it will hurt them to give it. For this reason I will not receive it, because they are ready to help me to their own prejudice, or even danger.
Feb 21, 2022 · 2 min
1002. Benefits should be freely received
No one incurs any obligation by receiving what it was not in his power to refuse; if you want to know whether I wish to take it, arrange matters so that I have the power of saying ‘No.’
Feb 18, 2022 · 2 min
1001. Sometimes the right thing to do is to say no
As we refuse cold water to the sick, or swords to the grief-stricken or remorseful, so must we persist in refusing to give anything whatever that is hurtful, although our friends earnestly and humbly beg for it.
Feb 17, 2022 · 2 min
1000. Be an anonymous benefactor
You should be satisfied with the approval of your own conscience; if not, you do not really delight in doing good, but in being seen to do good.
Feb 16, 2022 · 2 min
999. Don't let generosity degenerate into extravagance
Since no impulse of the human mind can be approved of, even though it springs from a right feeling, unless it be made into a virtue by discretion, I forbid generosity to degenerate into extravagance.
Feb 15, 2022 · 2 min
998. A hierarchy of needs and benefits
The next point to be defined is, what kind of benefits are to be given, and in what manner. First let us give what is necessary, next what is useful, and then what is pleasant, provided that they be lasting.
Feb 14, 2022 · 2 min
997. Do we make moral progress?
Our ancestors before us have lamented, and our children after us will lament, as we do, the ruin of morality, the prevalence of vice, and the gradual deterioration of mankind; yet these things are really stationary.
Feb 11, 2022 · 2 min
996. Why are you doing what you are doing?
Seneca reminds us that virtue ethics is about motivations and the improvement of one's character, not just about material help, as much as the latter may be needed.
Feb 10, 2022 · 2 min
995. It is the thought that counts
What value has the crown in itself? or the purple-bordered robe? or the judgment-seat and car of triumph? None of these things is in itself an honour, but is an emblem of honour.